A large group of high school visitors from Niijima Gakuen School in Japan arrived to Boston last..

Riding Around Boston: Local Ride Sharing Services

Global Immersions Recruiting - Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Ride Sharing apps have become increasingly popular making it easier than ever to get from Point A to point B. Many ride sharing apps operate in the Boston area and are a convenient way for international visitors or anyone new to the city to get around especially if they are unfamiliar with Boston or the public transportation system. These services are extremely convenient, and many different options have emerged allowing visitors to choose from a varying number of apps. Here are some of your ride-sharing options that operate in the greater Boston area:

Uber was the first ride-sharing apps to be created and is probably the most well known and widely used service. Uber is available around the world and riders can expect short wait times and quick pick-ups due to the large number of Uber drivers throughout Boston. Uber prices do fluctuate depending on demand at any given time of the day, therefore it is important to keep in mind rush hour and other times that there is an increased demand. Recently, Uber has also created an "uberPOOL" option, in which riders have the opportunity to take advantage of a cheaper fare in exchange for sharing your ride with other riders. While these rides generally take a longer time, if you are not in a rush to get to your destination the cheaper fares may be worth the wait.

Lyft is the second largest ride-sharing app and Uber's main competitor. Lyft and Uber are rather similar, as Lyft offers a "Lyft Line" option that allows you to get a cheaper fare in exchange for sharing your ride with other passengers. Lyft's prices also fluctuate based on demand and will surge prices in high-demand times. However unlike Uber, Lyft allows riders to tip their drivers.

Fastenis a small startup operating gaining momentum in Boston. Fasten works in the same fashion as Uber and Lyft however it advertises better prices for both drivers and riders. Instead of the app taking a percentage cut, say 20% to 30%, from each ride, it only takes $1 per ride, so drivers can keep a larger percentage of the profits. For passengers, Fasten can potentially be cheaper because it doesn't use "surge pricing," price hikes that kick in when demand goes up. Instead, Fasten says it lets passengers increase their fare offers if drivers don't accept their ride requests quickly enough.

Safris a new ride-sharing service focused on the safety and empowerment of women. With unique features designed for and by women, Safraims to improve the lives of women everywhere through safe transportation, job creation, and financial security.Safrdrivers are all female and are thoroughly vetted and undergo comprehensive background checks in criminal and motor vehicle history to ensure maximum safety for riders.

Arrois an application that lets you easily call taxis rather than drivers. You can use the app to call a cab, and you are automatically charged through the app as you would be in an Uber or Lyft. You can even useArroto pay for a taxi thatyour'ealready in, even if you hailed the cab on your own, without going through the app. This helps to support taxi companies throughout Boston that have seen a decline in business since the emergence of Uber and other ride-sharing apps.

Validated is not really a ride sharing app, though it works alongside one. With Validated, you can earn points toward rides on popular apps like Uber or by shopping at any of the "Validated" businesses. Currently in Boston these include restaurants and retail stores. Hundreds of brands can be used with the app so you can earn free rides purchasing items you typically buy merely by scanning your receipt into the app!

Price Comparison Resources:

Several applications make is easy to compare prices across ride-sharing apps and taxis to make sure you're getting the cheapest fare. The websites Ride Guru and WhatstheFareshow the average prices across multiple apps for your designated trip. In addition to these, the app FairRide compares Lyft and Uber prices next to each other, so you can choose the cheapest option for your ride from the convenience of your phone. These resources are particularly helpful in ensuring that you get the cheapest fare possible!

There are endless options for transportation around Boston. Ride-sharing apps have skyrocketed in popularity recently, making more and more options available for your use. Next time you need to go somewhere in a hurry, check out any of the above apps, and be sure to use the price comparison apps as well to get a great deal!